Tips, resources, school guidance, arrival reminders, and inspiration to help you prepare for an unforgettable hosting experience.
 
July 2026
AFS Intercultural Programs USA Logo. Text that reads "The Global Family Explorer". Doodle of a world map with decorative lines.Green-blue gradient background.
New to our host family newsletter? Or just looking to revisit past issues? You can view previous editions here. 


Welcome to the July edition!

It won’t be long now before your families increase in size with the addition of an AFS-USA student (or two). Just as the students are anxiously preparing for this major life transition both physically (packing, buying gifts, etc.) and mentally (learning about the host culture, learning about their host family, saying good-byes, etc.), we are going through similar preparations. I felt the same anxieties welcoming my 14th student as I did my first. I had the same questions and concerns, the same hopes and excitement.

Thank you so much for providing this special opportunity to your hosted student by sharing your life with them for a year or semester. I’m sure that those of you who have hosted before will agree with me when I say that you and your family will gain as much, if not more, from the experience as your new host “son” or “daughter.”

Wishing you a memorable hosting year!

Ted Johnson,
AFS-USA host parent and volunteer,
Greater Chicago Area Team

P.S. Remember to complete your Host Family Orientation!

Explore These Newsletter Highlights     

Hosting Spotlight: Host Family and Exchange Student Stories

In this impactful video created by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, two recent AFS-USA host families and their students share what it’s like to grow together and learn from each other during their hosting experiences. If you haven’t already seen it, it’s well worth a watch!

Roundup of Hosting Tips: Advice from Previous Families

As it gets closer to your student(s) arrival, more questions are likely popping up about what the experience will be like! Please enjoy a few tips from previous AFS-USA host families, and we encourage you to submit any questions you want answered in a future edition of the GFE.
 
Share Your Questions or Advice Here
 
Navigating Awkward Conversations
  • “Use the Host Family Questionnaire because it helps get so many awkward things out early in the process, and you can say that AFS is making us do it! Having those awkward conversations early prepares them for their own awkward moments later.”
Avoid Making Assumptions
  • “Don’t make any assumptions about your student knowing something.”
    • For example, how to use the dishwasher, run a load of laundry, what to do if the fire alarm goes off, what a typical weekend looks like, etc.
    • “Invite the student to participate in even the little things with you like cooking dinner, going to the grocery store, watching TV, etc. Don’t assume that they will invite themselves to an activity that they think is just for you.”

Make Your Life Easier with the Host Family Virtual Library

Have you looked at the Help & Learning for Host Families website yet? This site is your go-to resource for all matters related to your hosting experience (make sure to bookmark it!). Throughout your hosting experience, we encourage you to go back to this resource as needed and keep it handy so that you can access it when you have any questions.

In particular, the following sections can be helpful as you prepare for your hosting experience and get ready for a positive start to the year:
Volunteer standing in front of a flip charts with drawings and text

Host Family Orientation

As you get ready to welcome your AFS student into your home, be sure to complete the online Host Family Orientation Training. This 30–40 minute course provides everything you need to feel prepared, including an overview of AFS's mission, the support you'll receive throughout the year, monthly check-ins, answers to common host family questions, and helpful resources for a successful exchange experience.

You should have received a link to the training in your welcome email. If you haven't seen it, check your spam folder or email askAFS@afsusa.org for assistance. We can't wait to support you as you begin this exciting journey! In the meantime, learn more about Host Family Orientation Training Modules on Help & Learning for Host Families.
 
With the impending arrival of an AFS-USA student(s) comes the process of navigating all the nuances of getting them into the local school system. Although every school district and building function differently, AFS-USA has put together some tips and information to help you navigate school enrollment, registering for classes, and preparing for school even before your student(s) step off the plane! We hope you’ll take a moment to read these suggestions, so you are prepared to help your student(s) get ready for their first days of school in the U.S.!
 
​​​Screenshot of the coloring page
Pre-Program Communication
 
As you excitedly await your student’s arrival, you may want to connect with them beforehand. While pre-program communication is welcome, we strongly recommend keeping it light! Share greetings, excitement, and answer basic questions. It's also helpful to begin thinking about your household expectations and how you will communicate with them, but we encourage waiting until the student arrives to discuss them in detail. Wherever possible, concrete plans (such as travel or big events) are best delayed for at least two weeks until the student starts to adjust to life in the US.

Remember that students can change significantly between applying to AFS and beginning their program, as interests, maturity, and expectations often evolve over time. Adolescents are children still in development, after all!

Prepare to Pick Up Your Student

  1. Please connect with your local volunteer Travel Representative for arrival information, or you can view the arrival travel once the notification is sent 1-2 weeks before your student(s) arrive. Most students begin arriving on August 5th.
     
  2. Make sure you coordinate who will meet your student at the airport, whether it’s you or a local volunteer.
     
  3. Please contact your local volunteer with any travel-related questions and relay any updates you receive from your student(s) to your local volunteer, so everyone is in the loop.
Host student posing for a selfie with family in the background standing in front of canyon of red rocks

Think About Activities and Travel

It’s natural to want to plan activities for your student’s arrival, especially if school doesn’t begin right away. In our experience, it can be best to take things slowly. We encourage you to give your student(s) at least a few days to overcome jetlag, and to focus first on acclimating them to normal day to day life with you in your family and community.

Many activities and travel require permission or special documentation in advance. Before making plans, please review AFS-USA guidelines, contact your local AFS-USA student-family liaison with any questions, and notify them of any travel being considered during your student's program.

Prepare for Student Arrival Orientation

AFS-USA hosted students are required to attend an Arrival Orientation within 7 days of their arrival in the U.S. Your local volunteer team may organize this orientation at the point of arrival or ask you to collect your student(s) on arrival day and then meet for the orientation a few days later. If you don’t yet know the orientation schedule for your host student(s), please reach out to your local volunteers for the details.

View more information about the mandatory orientations throughout the hosting experience in Help & Learning for Host Families.
 
Host student with suitcases opened on the floor of an airport 

Get Ready for the First Days & Weeks of School

Preparation for school continues after your host student(s) arrives! You can start some of the more tangible activities like practicing a combination lock for their new locker, setting up a lunch account online, and walking through the routine of getting to and from school. If these ideas hadn‘t crossed your mind, don’t worry! The short articles below will have you all set for your host student’s school experience.

Introduce Yourself to Your Liaison

If you have been informed of who your local AFS-USA student-family liaison will be this coming year or semester, get in touch! It can help immensely to connect with your liaison at least once before your student(s) arrive, to say hello, confirm contact information, and go over any questions you may have. Once your student(s) arrive, you’ll want them to do the same as soon as possible, so that both you and your student(s) have access to your liaison early on.
 
Host Family with Hugging Host Student

Global BBQ Recipes

Summer in the USA means BBQ season! Explore our collection of barbecue-inspired recipes from around the world, featuring drinks, salads, main dishes, and desserts. Happy grilling!
 

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If you have a moment, we’d love to hear what you’re interested in (or not interested in) reading about! We’ll use the feedback to tailor the kinds of content that will appear in future editions.


   
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